[ ACTION ]

[ It's not every day that Hikaru's transported to a different place without at least some kind of briefing that usually leads up to being dispatched. Her first reaction was to use the earpiece she usually wears to communicate with base, however all she gets is waves of static. A gloved hand slipped into her pocket to retrieve her cell phone and when she glances at the screen, it's still searching for a signal. Well, that's that, she supposes. Her eyes slid to a close, a sigh to follow next as she stashes her cell phone away. She definitely wasn't in Japan anymore, that's for sure.

She moved to sit up, taking notice of the pamphlet as well as the videophone. Oh, thank god -- there was some kind of information available. Despite the chill in the air, she begins to read while walking over to the small holographic project. At least that's something she's familiar with! While taking her time to read, she listened to what Weiss said, nodding to herself. The line about not being able to return home didn't sit well with her. The fledgling Protectors didn't stand a chance against the stronger enemies of the Gnocem and she didn't want to have the foot soldiers risk their lives for a job she was, more or less, married to.

Hopefully she'd be able to return home soon. Hopefully.

With the information provided to her, Hikaru has a sense of what she needed to do now. And so, she can be seen leaving the Bay, not exactly dressed for the weather. She can be seen dressed in a black coat with the letters "PIPE" above her breast pocket, on top of various medals for distinction of service, along with her fourragere. Two guns are affixed to her hips, followed by a skirt, thigh-high stockings and combat boots. While she's walking, she's trying her best to watch where she's going while having her gaze mostly fixated on the map in her hands, which were covered by a pair of gloves. ]

There has to be at least some kind of place to stay...

[ Maybe there will also be coffee there, too, with tea! And a way to get out of the cold weather. ]

[ VIDEO ]

[ Well, just trying to find her way on her own won't work, unless if she wants to get lost in this new city. After consulting the pamphlet on how to operate the videophone, she holds it up and waves, smiling soon after. Her voice is rather soft and it's evident that her Japanese accent is leaking through when she speaks. ]

Hello, my name is Hikaru Takeda, Superintendent General to the PIPE, the Pro-Intercontinental Peace Enforcement Agency. I'm not sure if anyone's around to listen to this, however I am new to this place -- I believe it was called Genessia, correct? I was told it's pertinent to find myself some form of employment and housing. As my rank suggests, I'm suited for military-type positions or just protecting the general public. I don't mind pulling my weight if anyone wishes to house me until I'm able to get my feet wet here.

I do have a couple of questions that weren't answered by Miss Schnee's holographic projection, so if anyone wishes to answer them, I'd deeply appreciate it.

Thank you very much in advance. Over and out!

[ The sounds of shuffling can be heard next while she's still trying to find her way to the welcome center. ]

[Action]

[[Garry's ratty coat is doing nothing for him in this frigid weather. His teeth chatter together as he tries to balance the many items in his arms and shove them into his pockets. A pamphlet, this communicator phone thing, some money (what is this, some sort of theme park or convention?!), his lighter, the necklace, his rose ...

His eyes fall to Ib's handkerchief, still wrapped gently around his injured hand.

From one far away place to another. At least it seems like this world is a lot less likely to get him killed. He wonders if his rose means just as much here as it did there. And just as well, he hopes that Ib, at least, made it back safe---to her parents, to safety, to home. If she isn't with him right now, many he can count on the fact that she's okay! Brave, resilient Ib doesn't deserve to be away from them any longer.

Still, he feels a bit forlorn that he can't keep his promise to see her again, and give her back her handkerchief, or go get macarons. At least, not any time soon.

He's stuck. And not for the first time.

With another furious shiver, he trudges across the Bay, and buries his cold nose in the map to look for an inn or something to keep him until he can figure something else out. And soon. It's freezing.]]


[Video]

[[He's looking rather worse for wear, and very, very cold, but he forces out an awkward, weak smile nonetheless.]]

H-Heh, I ... I guess this place w-wants me to stay. I suppose it c-could be worse!

I'm going to the inn ... I think th-there's enough money here for th-that. There's so m-much I have to f-figure out.

If by any ch-chance you run into a little girl---brown h-hair, red eyes, her name is Ib---l-let her know Garry's here! I h-hope she's made it back home, though! Her p-parents must be worried sick!

Ah, and th-the map is helpful, yes, but does anyone know of any coat s-stores and th-their cross-streets? I'd b-be so grateful!

Video/Action

[Sakura sets up her video with a wide smile spread across her lips. She runs away from it and then waves. She’s in Everglade and working to help Fai with his election. There is a large T-rex behind her and its holding a sign around its neck with a warm pointy smile. The sign reads: Fai for Guardian!

The young princess is holding her own sign which says something similar and they are handing out cute little cards that Sakura had stayed up late making.]

Okay everyone! Vote for Fai for Everglade Guardian! He’ll do a great job and I know he just wants to help.

[She’s sure that Ted has been doing a wonderful job too but she’s here to support Fai.]

( Private to Clow Reed )

VIDEO

[The bright smiling face appears on the screen though it’s only for a moment as she quickly sends out a message.]

Those wishing to receive training please meet at the Nova City training ground. The address should be easy to find and I’ve created a scheduled for everyone who was interested.

There are some free spots if anyone I haven’t spoken too wants to stop by and check it out or those who wanted to spar.

[Another beaming smile and then the feed ends.]

ACTION

[Aqua is waiting at the Nova City training center. She’s thankful that David let her use the space and she hopes it goes well. In her mind she only needs two students to justify a training center of her own but can she really do it? She’s helped trained Ven but this is a little different from that.

Her arms are at her sides with her back pressed against the wall. There are a line of wooden swords along one wall. She got here early to work on the hologram and understand its settings. It’s one of the reasons it took so long to send her message out.

When someone arrives Aqua smiles and turns to face them.]

I’m glad you made it.

[Zelos was decidedly less than happy receiving his morning newspaper. In fact, the only thing that could make this worse would be if it had gone through his window again. Tolerating the few days of snow last year brought was bad enough, but an entire month of it without being able to just escape to another city? He nearly gagged just thinking about it.

To make matters worse, he knew he should be out supporting Fai in the run-up to the elections like Sakura was, but instead here he was curled up under a blanket whining to the entirety of Genessia. He didn't want them to see how pale he was, or how much his hands shook as he did so...but if anyone heard the trembling in his voice, he could pretend he was just shivering from the cold.]

Seriously, snow in every city for the entire month? You don't think this is the Paperboy's idea of a sick joke, do you?

I mean, how am I supposed to get to work without ruining every single pair of shoes I own? Snow boots'd just look ridiculous with my uniform and the cold'll make my lips all cracked and gross! How's a guy supposed to keep looking good under these conditions? It's not fair at all.

[here's chiyo, determined as could be, little fists balled up--]

It's really alarming that someone broke into all of our homes, and put up decorations, entering people's sacred spaces--


.... [oh. she's blushing now, and looks less mad. what could that be about.] But the snow and the lights, it's kind of romantic, isn't it? A-and, we'll all be spending Christmas together this year. And I'll be spending it with-- [HER FACE IS SO RED SHES GONNA DIE]

A-ah! I have to go now! T-there's tea that's ready! [ABRUPT VIDEO FEED SHUTTING OFF NOW]

[Danny hated the entire Christmas season. That hadn't changed.

But last year he'd made a promise to give it a try this year. To try and keep from ruining anyone else's enjoyment of the season.

You know what really wasn't helping with that? Christmas decorations. Everywhere. 

And they kept reappearing. He'd already taken five trashbags full of decorations out of his apartment, and they kept showing up again.]

Somebody please tell me there's a non-Christmas place to hang out. I mean, we've got a huge area here. There's gotta be at least one place where all this Christmas stuff hasn't gotten. RIght?

Who: Troy Dantes, other bounty hunters are welcome to assist!
What: Bounty hunt for four android criminals
When: 12/7
Where: All over Nova City

[Being the newly appointed Deputy Guardian of Nova City, Agent Troy Dantes finds himself being at the forefront of maintaining order within the city. Taking care of Nova City bounties tend to fall under his desk, even though there's people who are welcome to join in. He isn't a fan of that, but it's a free city. The job started when the four android criminals have attempted another bank robbery, in the middle of the city and in broad daylight no less. Each target are androids fashioned into female form with different hair colors each: red, white, black, and yellow. Luckily, Troy was there to prevent the four girls from completing their recent crime, but they all scattered right after a short-lived tussle, leaving Troy having to hunt them all down before they could regroup...]

( Read )
----

Public Video / Action - After the bounty hunt - Late Night

[After that heck of a day, Troy decided to go for a victory snack at a retro sandwich restaurant near the Holoplaza. In the video screen, it shows Troy eating a turkey sandwich wrap with a robot server sweeping in the background. The place was quiet and empty given the time. He is still armored from neck to toe, not looking exhausted despite the scrapes and burns on his armor. But he wanted to address some recent complaining he's been hearing through the network]

So I'm seeing some of you not being a fan of the season. I mean I sorta agree, winter can be a pain in the neck. But if you guys want to get away from the cold, I know just the place to go. See there's gonna be a grand re-opening of one of the luxury beach hotels in this place. There's gonna be a huge party. Over-priviledged celebrities, fireworks, fine dining. The works. If you're not interested in that, that's not a problem. It's still a place you can stay in to skip out from the cold until it's over. Let me know if you're in, we'll discuss it.

[Troy has been inviting people into his subarchway a lot recently. It may be his gallant nature, but he figures it's a good way to get to know his fellow pendant-owners, as well as a good way to form alliances with them.]

[ The feed starts up with Lucy sitting at a desk by a window, pen in hand and a notebook open. Seated with her on her lap is a little snowman looking critter, who was contentedly chewing on a candy cane. ]

Hmhm.. I've said it before, but I'll say it again. I really hate the cold - but when you have a view of a literal winter wonderland like this, I can't bring myself to mind that much. Although if the weather forecast is true... an entire month of snow is a bit much! Well... after the past few weeks, if that's the worst that happens, it's okay, I guess. I think a few days of quiet is just what the doctor ordered, and I can spend time with those kids. That being said - Sun, if you catch this, how are you holding up? You know after...um... after that... happened. And Levy, how is your arm?

[ She trailed off absently, rubbing Plue's head and smiling at the little spirit's 'pupun' response. Of course she wasn't worried about being snowed in thanks to her partner. ]

On the other hand it was a little -- a lot -- weird waking up and seeing the building decorated. I'm glad the interior was left alone - I wanted to do the decorating myself. I can't help but feel like a lot of people would have had less of an issue if the person responsible had at least asked permission beforehand. At least, for the people who do celebrate the holiday! Well, wintery landscapes like this are really inspirational for my writing today, so I think I'll get a few more hours writing done before I pick up some extra decorations. Anyone's free to join Plue and I if you want some company!